Thanks to advances in modern medicine, Americans are living longer than ever. However, with advanced age come many health problems. While these health issues are a natural part of aging, they can be challenging to care for without medical training.
The choice to place your loved one in a nursing facility is never easy, but you can do your best to select the best fit for their medical needs. This guide shares more information on what to look for in a skilled nursing facility, providing actionable advice to help you feel confident in your care decision.
1. Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities provide specialized medical services to those requiring intensive care. They should be clean and well-maintained, free from hazards, and meet all minimum safety standards. The facility should be well-lit and have comfortable and clean furnishings. It should also be accessible, with lifts, ramps, and elevators available for residents with limited mobility.
2. Services
Skilled nursing facilities offer various services to their residents, including physical therapy, speech pathology, wound care, intravenous therapy, and more. Ensure you know of any special needs your loved one has and verify they will have access while living at the skilled nursing facility. Not all facilities offer the same services, so you must confirm before admitting your loved one.
3. Staffing
Skilled nursing facilities should have registered nurses, skilled nurses’ aids, and additional staff to care for their residents. Your loved one may not get prompt medical attention if they are understaffed.
According to CMS, all patients in a skilled nursing facility should receive at least 3.48 hours of care daily. This includes 0.55 from a registered nurse, 2.45 from nurses’ aids, and 0.48 from additional staff members. These numbers may increase based on state regulations.
If the nursing home does not have the proper staff, it will be unable to meet these minimum care requirements. Coupled with high turnover, a lack of qualified staff, and budget cuts, the quality of care will decline as the number of employees decreases.
4. Ratings
Medicare shares ratings for each certified skilled nursing facility on its website. Here, you’ll view its overall rating based on health inspections, staffing levels, and various quality measures. You can also find more information on inspection details, penalties, citations, and more.
The ratings give you a sense of how the nursing home compares to the minimum federal requirements. A three-star rating means the facility meets expectations. In contrast, a five-star rating indicates it exceeds expectations. A one-star rating like Dickson Health and Rehab in Dickson, TN, received is the lowest rating a facility can receive.
Dickson Health and Rehab is part of Mission Health, and its rating was primarily due to staffing shortages and various health citations. The facility may be put on a corrective action plan to meet the minimum requirements. If it does not address the issues, it could be fined or lose its Medicare status.
Skilled nursing facilities take their Medicare ratings seriously. Because they rely on federal funding for their operations, they must maintain at least average ratings.
5. Residents
The other residents at a skilled nursing facility can tell you a lot about the quality of care you’ll receive at a facility. The elderly should be allowed to age with dignity, even if they require care for their basic functions.
Residents should not be left unattended for long periods, especially in bed or chair. If they are, this can be a sign of neglect, especially if they’ve developed bed sores as a result of the constant sitting. They should also maintain basic hygiene standards, including wearing clean clothing, having access to regular bathing opportunities, and maintaining proper wound care to avoid infection.
Residents who look dirty and disheveled and smell like human excrement can be red flags for potential residents. They will likely receive the same care.
6. Transition Plans
The goal of skilled nursing facilities is to provide your loved one with the services and therapy they need to transition home or to another long-term nursing facility. Confirm with the nursing facility how they plan to do that, including any projected timelines, requirements, etc.
Ask them about the average time it takes to transition and if they have any advice to help keep your loved one getting better.
Wrapping Up – The Final Say on Skilled Nursing Facilities
Skilled nursing facilities should be able to provide your loved one with specialized care that meets their unique needs. Utilize Medicare’s free tools to understand how nursing facilities rank and what that may mean for the care they receive.
Experiences differ between facilities, so if you want to put your loved one in a skilled nursing home chain, make sure you do your research to choose the right one.
